Restaurateurs Blindsided by New Restrictions

Reaction to the Prime Minister’s announcement was swift as business owners and residents flocked to social media with mixed reviews on the new COVID-19 restrictions that take effect in the next few days. While the general sentiment is that something had to be done to reduce the number of active cases, restaurateurs are concerned about the survival of their businesses that are already at the brink of shuttering. Just two weeks ago, a group of businessmen, including a disc jockey representing the entertainment industry, signed off on a petition asking for G.O.B. to provide some relief for their business to recover. Instead of getting some ease, they got another clampdown. Linford Rosado of the Thirsty Thursday says that they have been blindsided.

Linford Rosado

Linford Rosado, Owner, Thirsty Thursday

“What I find difficult to grasp is where are we going with this latest restriction. Restaurants can only do takeout, but resorts, hotels in the islands, Placencia, Hopkins can go full blast. So are we being sacrificed for their success? I mean we wrote the letter the other day explaining our hardships. I was on your newscast along with my colleagues, Mister Gillett from Rustic, my son and DJ Dalla, begging/crying for some kind of relief and instead – if I put it by the local terms – maybe we get bukut. But yes Duane, I know that the situation is desperate, I know that the medical professionals are extremely overworked, underpaid and I feel for them, but I wish that the powers that be would really sit down and bring credible solutions. More curfews, more lockdowns in one sector has not done it in the past – it has led to where we are.”